St. Bernard's OC Football Club - VAFA - Melbourne

_RESULT

Match Reports: Round 7

U16A
St Bernards 14.15.99 def Hoppers Crossing 6.7.43
Goals: Jordan Schroder 4, Andrew Grosso 2, Matt Borzillo, Isaac Madden, Harry Overman, Daniel Riley, Nicholas Schultze, Luke Sullivan, David Wall & Jack Wheeler
Best: Andrew Grosso, Jordan Schroder, Tom Sullivan, Kieran Farrell, Jack Saundry & Harry Overman
No match report received.

U16D
St Bernards 4.18.42 def Hoppers Crossing 3.1 19
Goals: Adrian Dixon, Andrew Graham, Luke Larsen & James Weir.
Best: Will Sullivan, Luke Larsen, James Weir, Zaron Smith, Michael Smith & Liam Utri.

In absolutely atrocious conditions at Hoppers Crossing the 21 gladiators who took the field can be very proud of their achievement. And I mean atrocious?????????? The first quarter saw Hoppers kick 3 goals 1 behind to zero.
19 points down at the first break and playing dreadful football. The boys re-grouped in the next 3 quarters kicking 4 goals 18
behinds to zero. Believe me this was a super effort & cemented the team in the four. Will Sullivan playing his second game back, was brilliant in the way he read the game, Zaron Smith knocked up getting plenty of kicks on the wing, Luke Larsen & James Weir rucked tirelessly all day & Andrew Grahams smother & goal was first class. You would not see any better at AFL level. The tackle of the day went to the improving Mad Dog Smith which created a turnover and forward entry for us. Andrew Dixon toiled hard in the second quarter and was rewarded with our only goal. In the second half Hoppers did not have one forward entry.
Overall a very satisfying game to pinch the points.
This Sunday we play Altona at home be at ground 1-15 for 2-05 kick-off

U14A
St Bernard’s 1.7.13 v Hoppers Crossing 9.11.65
Our effort and commitment to tough wet weather football was what we looked for against the ladder leaders. During most of the game we were able to match the opposition around the ground in all contests and did play some good football but we were unable to match Hoppers Crossing for the entire 4 quarters. We did take a lot of positives out of the game and will learn from the experience, which should help us improve our future performances. We need to continue working hard as a team to improve our fitness and skill base and the results will come our way.
Thanks to all the parents that have helped out at training and on match days over the last few weeks, the players appreciate it.
Best: Good team effort and attitude by all players.
Goals: Sam Payne 1.

U14C
St Bernards 6-8-44 lost North Footscray 7-9-51

Best: Zac O'Halloran, Matt Bergin, Tom Saundry, Sam Woods, Tom Madden, Conor Utri, Jeremy Sullivan.

The loss on Sunday proves that the game doesn't finish until the final siren goes. The team played very good hard football for most of the game. We were up against a lot of top aged boys who were much bigger than us, and once we realised our strength is leg speed and carried the ball in numbers we got on top in the last quarter but didn't play to the siren.
When we play North Footscray again we will be better prepared. There were some great individual efforts from players such as Zac in the ruck and Burger when he went to fullback.
Of five boys that started on the interchange I realise you did not get a lot of on field game time, this is not always going to be the case, that was the decision that was made whilst the game was in progress.
The team has to play until the final siren.

U12A
St Bernards 2.14.26 lost to Hoppers Crossing 6.4.40

Today we lost by 14 points. And see how many behinds we kicked. We even gave a goal back. Yep, just before ¾ time, the goal ump signaled a goal, the ball was almost back at the centre, when that good Catholic upbringing came to the fore. The Hoppers lads were squawking that the ball was touched and our players told the goal ump that they were right, it was touched. He then changed his decision. We all, parents and players, applauded Jack Rennex for being so honest. Then Coach Damo told him to never… ever… be that honest again.
Brief L I update. Tom Lewis was unavailable due to a groin strain – L I. Liam Bowler was in hospital with a stomach complaint -U L I. Nick O’Bree has not played for a few weeks due to L I – lost interest. And so it goes. ULI? Upper L I.

We read with envy last week that the 12 D’s were invited to train at the Lexus Centre. This inspired Coach Damo to contact former Bulldog legend Wally, who invited us to train at the Toyota Centre. Just up in Keilor Rd. It was fantastic. At the used car lot, the drill where we weaved between used cars was great until a customer took one for a test drive and nearly wiped out half of the 12A squad. Coach Damo had us handballing through open passenger windows, just like Barry Cable. Or was that Mick Turner. He also had a drill involving car windows. And no problem when it got dark, we moved into the Showroom for a match under lights. One team kicked to the Prado end, the other to the Corolla end. It was truly spectacular footy, but there were no goal posts. We kicked at the vehicles and I suspect that explains our poor kicking today. And, you will soon see a sale of floor-damaged vehicles at the Toyota Centre.

Today’s game, we should have won. Although we had no bench, we won the second half in tough conditions. We are playing with a lot more purpose and flair, but we now need to believe that we can beat teams above us on the ladder. Lachie Sullivan is like a farmer. He has been praying for rain, got it, and was brilliant in the muddy conditions. Josh Wallis proved that he is no dry tracker, with a sterling performance. Marcus Deleur did not let the conditions slow him down and starred all around the ground. Jack Gilmore kept us in the game in the first half and Max Jaggard was again consistent. On the back line, Fergal Utri and Michael Caven and Nick Swan backed their judgement, running at the ball and repelling many attacks. Jack Rennex and Michael Sauro both provided excellent options.

Next week we play Altona for the second time. Now we can measure the improvement.
Best: Sullivan, Wallis, Deleur, Gilmore, Utri, Caven, Rennex, Swan, Jaggard, Steel, Tormey.
Goals: Sauro(2)

U12 B St Bernard’s 4-11-35 def Albion 4-3-27
Goals: Thomas, Alec, Nick K, Quade.

The game against Albion was very entertaining not only because the boy’s had a terrific win but both sides played some very entertaining footy and the scores were close all day, with our boy’s playing right to the final siren and came out winners.
The boy’s are doing all the basic thing’s we teach them. Coming up against bigger and sometimes older opposition doesn’t effect most of the player’s anymore, so they take them on, run and play on at every opportunity and carry the footy.
Well-done boy’s for a terrific win and playing some great footy.
Some of the boy’s who played really well, Declan Gilbert did a terrific job in the ruck, Ben Ronke came back to his best form, Joel Comito did a great job at full back, Alec, Charlie, Tom. Will, Nick C and Nick K all played great games. Well done Thomas for his first goal in footy.

U12D
St Bernard’s 11.8.74 def Altona Juniors 1.1.7
Goals: Amborise Attard 4, (one was on the left foot) Lachlan Perryman 2, Matthew Caterall 1, Thomas Noonan 1, Thomas Grech 1, (first goal for U12 footy, his dad even ran out to congratulate him) Tom Monaghan 1, Jack Stephens 1,
Best: Ambroise Attard, Matthew Bell, Lachlan Perryman, Christopher Williams, Hugh McLaughlin, Liam Collins, Alex Tsambards, Matthew Caterall,

Six weeks ago we played Altona Juniors at their home ground and we just got over the line by 5pts. Come round 7 again we played Altona Juniors again at there home ground and we won by more than 10 goals!
A great team win yesterday our hard work at training is paying off, again we focused on the second efforts the “1 per centers”. It was a credit to all the players, each one contributed!

Our third quarter was sensational, we created space, hit our targets and we were rewarded with slotting seven goals, great tackling by Liam Collins, Alex Tsambardas, Kristian Guarino, Matthew Caterall.
Again the ruck work was shared by Michael Smith and Luke Conway wood and they did a great job, well done!

The boys stuck to the game plan going into the last quarter, there was a lot of courage and effort shown by many players-they just did not give in.
Overall it was a great team effort, let’s continue our TEAMWORK into next weeks game.
Captains: Thomas Grech (Great Captains goal) and Christopher Williams, both lead by example – well done.

U10 Red
St Bernard's 13-12-90 def Hoppers Crossing 3-7-25
Goals: Henry J 4, Julian V 2, Jordy F 2 Luke B 1, Cameron W 1, Aidan B 1, Nick D 1, Patrick M 1

Today we played our first game on the No 2 oval, and thankfully some overnight rain had softened the ground!! In fact conditions for footy were quite good. The team led by Luke H our captain for the day came out of the blocks firing, Luke B was giving us great drive from the middle and slotted the first goal, then the flood gates opened up, goals to Cam W, Julian V, Aidan B, Nick D, and of course the mercurial Henza, gave us 6 individual goal scorers for the quarter.

The second and third quarters the Hoppers boys took it right up to us, some tremendous drive and hard in and under work from Jordy F, and with great marking and tackles from Ash U, a fine goal from Patrick M(his first ever-Well done), kept the score board ticking over. Julian V was presenting up forward, James W, and Lachy C keep doing the 1% for the team, the Mac attack Tom and Will, and Nick D shows great dash, and some good decision making in defence from Cam W and Happy James Gilmour was very impressive and set up many attacks

The last quarter the wind picked up and with the team running into it I asked the guys for a big effort. We had plenty of hard running from Tom L, Ryan S Jack M and Jack T, Aidan B put in a big last quarter in the ruck and his raking left foot kicks set up goals for the team we were able to out score the oppositon 4 goals to 1.

Today I asked the team for second and third efforts, three that come to mind were Zac C in the last quarter an intercept from the wing, a bump, a tackle, and a resulting free kick and good pass, Luke B similar in the first quarter 3 left footers in a row under pressure and follow ups, and Jordy F a smother, a tackle, and quick kick out of the pack. The team work was something that stood out today the players are all working for each other and the team spirit is evident, we used the first option, and our ability to keep knocking the ball forward really worked well. The standard and teamwork of all players was sensational- well-done team.
BTW... a Big Thankyou thank you to all the parents who help out each week see you next week.

U9 Red
St Bernards vs Hoppers Crossing

The young blokes were extremely excited at the opportunity of playing on oval 1. With rain - the equivalent that floated Noahs Ark, that softened the ground just right for bone crunching slip and sliding. We hadn't seen or smelt that black mud for a good ten years. Matthew Sauro, Ben Huggard, Luke Creighton played solid games. The slippery conditions suited the smaller blokes perfectly William Biffin, Joey Agresta, Domenic Caccamo and Christian Bird. Great goal by Domenic Caccamo!!! Fabulous shepherding by William Riley (General) and Matty D as usual. Pat Willach bounced the ball on the only dry patch on the ground to the amazement of the crowd and kicked a great goal. Good game considering the conditions. Great dive in the mud after the game by all.

U9 White
St Bernard’s v Yarraville - Seddon.
Captain; Myles Gollant.
Goals; None this week but special mention to Bradley who kicked a fantastic goal last week that I forgot to include in last weeks newsletter, well done Brad.
Best; Myles, Joshua, Nick V, Fabian, Marcus, Nick D, Grant & Nathan.

This week we travelled to the home of the Yarraville-Seddon Eagles and for the first time this year we saw mud. The boys fully embraced the idea of getting in hard at the footy and coming out covered in mud, much to the horror of the group of mothers standing on the boundary line. The boys showed great endeavour and for the first time this year had to deal with gusting wind, wet footy and a wet ground. To the boys who played in the ruck, Lachlan G, Nick D, Nathan, Lewis and Connor well done against a much bigger and stronger opponent, it showed in the end that if you persist you will come out the winner.

It was great to hear our voices out on the ground and when this was mentioned at half time the boys ran for the second half screaming like banshees, worrying the opposition. We must continue to work on getting in and getting our hands on the footy, every time we do it, we come out with the footy and get clear of our opponents. A good solid team effort across the entire ground, we were just unlucky in the 4th quarter when the wind got up favouring Yarraville-Seddon who kicked a couple of late goals. We are improving every week and remember the harder we train and listen the better we play.

Thanks to the parents who helped out and all the parents who had their boys at the ground early, it makes our job a lot easier. If you are running late or your boy will not be playing ring either Peter 0423 024 890 or Andrew 0423 274 545. Enjoy your footy.